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Understanding the context in which brands & people interact allows us to create more relevant communications

Beauty, self-confidence and diversity

In 2017, sales in the beauty and cosmetic industry in the United States were estimated at $18 billion, continuing a healthy growth trend (6% increase over the previous year according to The NPD Group). Although this growth has been partially fueled by more interest in...

THE SURPRISING ORIGINS OF THE SHARING ECONOMY

The sharing economy allows individuals to monetize underused skills, spaces, and objects. While the individual gains more freedom, companies free themselves of many of the responsibilities of employment. But the origins of “sharing” may be traced to an unlikely place;...

Is Art Over?

What is the difference between Andy Warhol’s “Brillo Boxes” and actual Brillo boxes? That question alone was enough for one philosopher to declare the end of art. Branding, art history, and philosophy met at the packaging of soapy steel wool pads and art washed away....

an opportunity to re launch the ‘latino brand”

Moments of great social tension generate great art. We feel collective goose bumps every time we see the wonderful Jarritos  immigrant journey video made by the awesome guys behind WALO in collaboration with Diego Luna, and the brave new campaign for Johnnie Walker by...

The African American experience abroad

The lure of the expat life. Paris. “There you can be whatever you want to be,” said Langston Hughes. Today many African Americans live abroad, in cities from Seoul to Buenos Aires. But these adventures bring unusual encounters. One black woman shares her perplexing...

Are millennials becoming traditional?

A recent New York Times article finds some unexpected trends in the ways millennials think about gender. More young people in America are expressing a desire for a “traditional” family, but the same is not true in Europe. The results lead us to consider what’s causing...

The current obsession with curating content

Curation is a buzzword and a practice permeating every sphere of life, from music to food. This article considers the connotations and political associations of the word, finding that curation is associated with liberals who dream about the ability to select, judge,...

Matters of the Afterlife: New study on race, ethnicity and religion

The Pew Research study looked at fourteen aspects of spiritual life to paint a picture of how they intersect with ethnicity and race. These ranged from the obvious (religious affiliation) to the abstract and metaphysical (spiritual peace) and delved into matters of...

COSMOPOLITANISM AND BALLOTS

What do softball and Indian food have in common? The New York Times series “The Upshot” looks at connections between politics, policy, and everyday life. A political scientist asks seven questions about leisurely choices and looks at their relationship to political...

Is it possible for a brand to appeal to everyone?

Some say that shoppers vote with their wallets. Time will tell if people are more concern with social issues than with convenience or price. This article about Macy’s invites us to think if a classic “brand for all Americans” can still succeed in appealing to...

The Hyphen: A symbol of pride, or a mark of separation?

Hyphen-Americans talk openly about their views on how do they fit (or not) in today’s America. As companies look to engage with multicultural America, it is important to understand some of the experiences shared in this video series from the Race Related project of...

Are we witnessing the beginning of the empathy era?

During the past two weeks, hundreds of thousands of people have mobilized in marches to support women and immigrant rights. Not all are liberal, anti-Trump, Hollywood-adoring freaks. Real people are showing real empathy. Roman Krznaric has predicted the 21st Century...

We are about to see the best in people

These are intense times for all Americans. Immigration is a hot topic and there is an abundance of information for people to use to form their own opinions. At Rest of the World we remain optimistic. For every terrorist and drug dealer, there are thousands of talented...

The Case FOR ‘Latinx’

U.S.-born Latinos are a demographic force in the immediate future. But the term "inherent masculinity" seems dated in our gender-inclusive times. The identifier “Latinx” (pronounced Latin ex) is a welcome addition to both popular and academic...

BRANDED FACES: SEEING RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY

What happens when you wear your religion on your sleeve – or your forehead? Culture and religion often go hand-in-hand, and for many people around the world, faith is displayed on the head or body at all times. But these visual markers rarely appear in American film...

A love letter to America

The American Dream is kept alive by the hundreds of men and women from around the globe that become U.S. citizens despite all the political controversies. Their optimism is energy for the country. They will never forget the companies and brands that welcome...

Changing people’s perceptions through pop culture

Reza Aslan found it so hard to be Muslim-American that he pretended to be Mexican when he was growing up. Yep. Now the best-selling author is now on a mission to erase misconceptions about Muslims by creating original programming led by a Muslim cast. His inspiration?...

the new global spirit of pop music

We can always turn to music for a lesson about a world without borders, where global collaboration is fluid and the end result utterly inspiring.

The Cultural Divide and What it Means for Brands

Last year’s political season made it very clear that the country is divided. But these maps from the New York Times confirm that, beyond political beliefs, our divisions are essentially cultural. If we define culture as the behaviors, beliefs and values that a group...

Generation Z and the New Social Etiquette

There are 70 million Generation Zers and they represent 22% of the entire U.S. population. And 35% of them are U.S.-born Latinos. Their smartphone is their world and for them social media is not media, but life itself. Knowing what to post, how to caption it, when to...

The Latino effect on economic growth

During the next few years, millions of American-born Hispanic millennials will turn 18. They are more educated and skilled than their immigrant parents and will have a positive impact on the economy. But what will their impact be on American culture as they become 41%...

Six-in-ten U.S. Hispanics are Millennials or younger

By now you've realized that we are excited about Latinx. 🙂 But our excitement is supported by facts. They are the youngest group in the country: Almost 18 million of them are under the age of 18. If you believe, like we do, that youth is energy, Latinx will be the...

Richard Nixon and the Invention of Hispanics

Thinking of Hispanics as a single demographic group is a creation of Washington. It was first used on the Census ballot of 1970, to classify everyone south of the Rio Grande. “Hispanic” is a label that exists only in the context of the United States and it severely...

Asian Americans and the stereotype of a model minority

In “The Color of success” writer Ellen Wu explains the role of the media in shaping the current perception of Asian Americans as the model minority of upstanding citizens capable of quietly assimilating to the mainstream culture. Interesting article on how to shape a...

Immigrants Are More Entrepreneurial

  In the U.S., immigrants are twice as likely to become entrepreneurs as native-born U.S. citizens. This Harvard Business Review article argues that being exposed to cross cultural experiences may be an explanation. This is another strong argument in support of...

the numbers behind illegal immigration

WIRED offers an impassionate look at illegal immigration by the numbers. The reality contradicts the rhetoric. Yes, Illegals do not have a legal status in the country but they are not the source of roaring crime and terror. The country needs a smart immigration...

“I’m Not the Nanny”: Multiracial Families

Remember the cute 2013 Cheerios commercial featuring a mix family, and the polarizing social media commentary that it generated? General Mills stood firm following up with another execution, and years later enforcing diversity in all of its vendors. Mix-raced families...

Grey Poupon is hip-hop’s favorite condiment

  The curious story of how Grey Poupon became a cultural icon. In a couple of conferences last year Sir John Hegerty argue, to the horror of the geeks, that nothing tops the power of a great TV campaign to build a brand. We...

Shattering Stereotypes is the Only Way to Survive

One of the purposes of Rest of the World is to “re launch” the image of minorities. Our inspiration comes from real people doing extraordinary things. People that when punched do not turn the other cheek but counter-attack with a...

Demographic growth do not mean political power

A predominantly Latino population is not necessarily a triumph in itself. As long as Latino communities remain behind in access to education their growth won’t imply economic and political progress. The Latino growth can be a blessing or a curse. Let’s make sure we...